Liverpool Plains and Gunnedah miss out

Councils in the Liverpool Plains mining zone have missed out again on being included in a list of local government areas eligible for Resources for Regions funding from the state government.

Deputy Premier, Regional Infrastructure Minister and Nationals leader Andrew Stoner announced yesterday more communities were being included this year, following the latest assessment of the impacts of mining activity on regional communities.

Mr Stoner said Singleton, Muswellbrook, Cobar, Narrabri, Lithgow and Newcastle were eligible to apply for funding this time around.

The criteria for selection are based on levels of state revenue raised from mining areas and the direct and indirect impacts on infrastructure from the resources industry.

Consideration was also given to previous capital spending regarded as inadequate on a per capita basis.

The councils can apply for funding projects from next year’s state budget.

However, the new list ignores the Gunnedah and Liverpool Plains shire council areas, which boast significant mining activity. Last year’s omission prompted criticism the program ignored the major impacts and issues, such as increased rail and road traffic.